EDIT (1/30/2018): Returning viewers of this deviation may notice that the original link to the PDF has disappeared. I am now only offering the PDF on my Etsy store.

A long time ago someone asked me if I could create a template for a basic katana. I agreed at the time, but I ended up not really knowing a good way to draw or share it. But I want that person to know that I never stopped thinking about how to draw and upload a template like this. I'm truly sorry it took me so long! A katana is very popular weapon across many series but it is very difficult to make due to it's curve. I hope this template will help many people in the future!

This is as basic as basic gets in my opinion. The handle length (10 in.) is average, the blade length (28 in.) is average, and the curve (or sori) is average (5/8 in. deep). Even so, I included a lot of measurements in this image as reference because to make a convincing looking katana there are a lot of subtlties you have to account for. There is a slight taper in the profile of the blade from 1-1/8" at the base to 1" at the tip. As well as a taper on the end of the hilt and scabbard. You may notice that in the PDF, I have excluded the kashira (pommel cap), fuchi (hilt collar), tsuba (handle guard), habaki (blade collar). That is because those elements are built around the blade and are very customizable. I've tried making a simple, yet easily modifiable template. For all of these smaller pieces, a lot of those measurements I give above are suggestions.

Recommended Materials:- 1/4 in. wood for the blade. Poplar or aspen wood, available at Lowes or Home Depot, works well.- Either 1/4 in. or 1/2 in. wood for the hilt/scabbard. Depending on whether you use the "sandwich" method or carving method.

Recommend building process:Unless you've got everything figured from the beginning, I also recommend always building the blade first! Everything is built around the blade! Then you should build the habaki next if you want one. Then the guard! And that's when you should make the hilt. You can then build the fuchi (hilt collar) and kashira pommel cap) around the hilt. And the final step should be the scabbard.

I also HIGHLY recommend that people look at chioky and piratecaptain galleries and tutorials on building a katana. And if anyone wants me to create modified templates for, say, a different type of hilt or a much longer/shorter type of katana, feel free to ask!

Have a prop in mind that you need a template/blueprint for? Feel free to suggest it in the comments or through a note!

To go along with this Basic Katana Template, can you make one for the Japanese long sword called the nodachi? Cause, that could help alot for anyone making any kind nodachi like Trafalgar Law's sword from One Piece.

The Bakuzan from Kill la Kill is a fairly standard katana aside from all the superfluous details on the outside. So...yes, this template should work rather well!I was actually working on making a specific template for the Bakuzan a while back, but I've never gotten around to finishing it. I really should at some point. Haha...

I'm cosplaying as Rin and I need to make this sword. Did you use wood for the whole thing? I need to make mine out of foam so I can actually bring it into the convention building haha. Would it make a difference if I made it out of foam? Would any of the measurements or steps be different at all? I've never made a sword or anything like this before so I really don't know how to start.

Yes, I made my Kurikara's entirely out of wood. And yes, you would definitely need to make some modifications to this template to use foam. Also, you're going to have to figure out what kind of foam you're going to use. Insulation foam or EVA foam, or something else. There isn't really a point to making the more delicate details separate out of foam.You could try and use this template to make a sword out of carboard or foamboard, although it may not turn out as nice without some extra work.The measurements still would work out though, they are the actual measurements of the average katana after all.If you're really new, I suggest going to: www.cosplaytutorial.com/And it may be useful to check out fixinman's tutorial here: fixinman.deviantart.com/art/Fo…Although his method makes a katana that you are not able to draw out of the sheath.

Hello there, thank you for useful much valuable informations.I have a 50cm 1095 carbon steel and I want to make a wakizashi from it. I have been looking for a template but I couldnt find one. If you can make a template for such measurements I would really appreciate it.

I like the way you can create blueprints to swords, but I was wondering if you could do the same with a sword from Naruto. I'm talking about the Executioner's Blade. Do you think that you can do the blueprint to that sword?

I'm looking into making the Murasame blade from Akame Ga Kill. As I understand it the Murasame blade has a slightly shorter handle - maybe 8 or 9 inches - than the standard Katana and a slightly longer blade - maybe 35 - 36 inches -, also there is a bit of detailing on the handle and the end of the scabbard. I was wondering if you could please help me out with a template for it? - as I really suck at that part

Ah, yup, I know the game. I have a friend that's really into it. Hahahah...

But wakizashi are a shorter class of sword than a katana or tachi. If the measurement they gave is 38.5 centimeters it probably only means the blade since that would be almost too short for a wakizashi if it meant the full length..

But sure, no problem! I'll work on it and I'll upload it most likely on either Thursday or Friday of next week. So keep an eye out for it!